Telephone intercept system



'NMA rue- 4 Jam 17, 1961 o. MYERS 2,968,700

TELEPHONE INTERCEPT SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 UNE LIN/f f/ FRAME /2 F/G- cfm/NG .fUBscR/agp SE T /5 4 r 4' CALLED I SET L .fuascR/BER 'L j L/Nz:F LIN/r 9a FRAME l 1 f/.s //9 f SET F /NTERCEPT M OPERATOR 5o O/.sPLAV RA NEL (5a 55 2O D/PLj/Y L/NE L/NK 0^' FRAME CONN.

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- 2a 2a ZH 7 6 T\ T/-la X m4 x /NVEA/TOR O. MYERS ATTO RNEV Jan. 17, 1961 o. MYERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 THUN/f L/Nl( FRAME ATTORNEY United States Patent `O TELEPHONE INTERCEPT SYSTEM A.Oscar Myers, fMount Vemon, `N.Y., assignor to Bell TelephonefLaboratories, Incorporated, New York, NX., a corporation ofNewYork .Filed Nov. y25, 1959, Ser. No. 855,437

22 Claims. (Cl. 179-27) This invention relates to automatic telephone switch- 'ing systems and more particularly to an improvement in telephone intercept service obtained by the provision of an intercept translating apparatus.

While the use of multifunctional telephone `switching apparatus, such as the marker circuit for No. 5 Crossbar telephone systems, as described in Patent 2,5 85,904, issued `February 19, 1952, to A. I. Buschyhas resulted in effi- `cient and economical telephone system operation, the intercept aspect of telephone hservice has continued to Adepend heavily upon human operator control.

`Under presently `existing telephone practice, when a lsubscriber `either moves to a different address or `requests and receives adifferent class of telephone service, it is often necessary to assign such subscriberone or more lnew 'directory numbers. Foren indeterminate period after thelnew number has been assigned persons uninformed of uthe change -will continue to attempt to reach this 'subscriber by dialing 'the old number. During this period the 'oldlnumber may not be reassigned to a different =sub Lscriber and, accordingly, the terminalpoints of the switch- 'ing'eq-uipment associated with the old number mustremain unavailablefor use. Heretofore, there has beenno convenient method `available for gathering data to deter- 1mine when traic to the old number hasdecreased to the point where a reassignment is permissible, and reassign- `-ments have heretofore .been made on the basis of -general operating experiencewithout reference to the traic pattern characteristics of the individual line.

When a change in a subscribers directory number is lmade it' is'desiabletoinform :those dialing the old num- :ber' of'fthefnew directo'rynumber and, in some-cases, of -any `change'in the type of serviceprovided. For-ex ample, thefcalle'dtpartys newexchange may now be in a `dierenttoll area or the called party may have acquired Aone or more new directory numbers. For these purposes, the calling vpa'rty'is presently routed vto antintercept oprer'a'tor fwho-'mustiask for the number dialed and consult a changed number 'directorydn order to determinethe new number and associated service information. Since `even few minutesldelay` between the actual change of' service land theprintinganddistribution of the changed number directories among the intercept operators 'will degrade the -qualitylof 'intercept service, and since thefperusal` of such n'directories .by the operator takes appreciableitime itis .fdesirablef to 'eliminate or'at least to minimizetheir Iusage Jini modern'tele'phone'oflice's.

Thefautomatic' routing'of afc'alling party to `an intercept operator'is initiatedwhenlthefmarker,after seizing the inumberfgroup 'tol'obtainlthe equipmentllocation of the terminals correspondingto thedialed directory number, failsto'obtain'the equipment location ofthe called partys mline. The'number group-will 'fail toigive anequipment location because one or more of the jumpers which f'arenormallyprovided betweenthe terminal points in the numberfgroup correspondingto thefdialedrdirectory numbenhave `been disconnected. V'llnamarlcer isprovided with a timing circuit to initiate the intercept switching connections when the number group fails to supply an equipment location within a specified time interval. The sequence of switching operations thus initiated includes the operation of route relays to release the called number information in the dialed number register relays of the marker `and to release thenumber group associated with the disconnected number. Since the intercept trunks (like P.B.X trunks, for example) are advantageously brought out to terminals on line link frames, the marker proceeds as for a terminal hunting line, except that the initiated sequence of route relay operation effects the entry into the marker dialed number register of a four-digit number associated with the intercept trunks, instead of the last four digits of a dialed P.B.X number. This four-digit number controls an appropriate number group to furnish the marker the equipment location of an idle intercept trunk on an idle line link frame. The marker then proceeds to establish a connecting path between the calling party and the intercept operator in the same manner as if the intercept operators trunk were an ordinary subscribers line on the selected line link frame.

To eliciently exploit the multifunctional control characteristics of the marker `it is essential that individual circuits within the marker retain maximum exibility and be used for additional control functions as soon as previous control `functions have been completed. Accordingly, when the intercept switching operation is, as just described, accomplished on a similar basis to that `of a call to a P.B.X line, the dialed number stored in the dialed Ynumber register of the marker (which number is no longer useful for number group control) is erased so that the-marker register will be available to store the four-digit number associated with `the Yintercept trunks. The erasure ofthe called numberinformation has there- `fore been heretofore considered desirable from the standpoint lof marker circuit operation, existing telephone switching circuits being incapable of extracting any further useful function therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to effect an improvement in telephone'intercept service.

It is another object of the present invention to'facilitate the efficient 'reassignment of telephone directory numbers.

It is fstill another object of the-presentinvention `to :improve the accuracy and speed of :dialed-number to .directory'number of the called party-istransferred from the marker dial register to an intercept translating circuit when the marker obtains an'indication `of a disconnected number'condition from the number group.. The intercept translating circuit matches the dialed directory number `with the new directory numberand service data and the new number and service information are routed to be displayed to the telephone intercept operator being connected to the callingparty by the marker.

Further inaccordance with theprinciples ofthe pres- -ent invention, in Tone illustrative 'embodiment thereof, the intercept translator seized by the marker is provided with a plurality of magnetic rings similar to the type of ring disclosed in `Patent 2,614,176, issued October 14, `1952, to T. L. .Dimond A group of jumpers links a first array of the magnetic rings according to predeter- `mined patternsindicative of the old directory numbers of subscribers involved in directory number changes. Each .of the `jumpers also links `asecond array-of magnetic rings in accordance .with a further predetermined `pattern indicative-of the new directory-number and corresponding service information. The jumpers are sequentially energized, signals induced in the output windings of the first array being multiplied through respective normally closed relay contacts to a detector circuit, the relay contacts being opened under the control of a dialed number register. The detector responds to the induced voltages to locate the jumper which threads the pattern of first array rings associated with the opened ones of the normally closed contacts and activates a pulse circuit to apply a high amplitude pulse to the selected jumper. The output windings of the second array linked by the selected jumper trigger electronic discharge devices controlling corresponding display lamps at the intercept operators position, the connection of the translator output to the display panel of the intercept operator advantageously being made via a connector having an address corresponding to the line link frame selected by the marker in establishing the regular intercept connection between the calling party and the intercept operator.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention that the registration of a superseded directory number in the marker initiate intercept switching functions to provide a normally selected intercept operator with the translated directory number of the called party.

It is another feature of the present invention that the marker seize a condensed array of translation circuit paths for the selective detection of a circuit path corresponding to the dialed number.

It is another feature of the present invention that signals derived by rst selective energizations of a plurality of translation circuit paths determine the pattern of signals obtained upon a subsequent selective energization of the paths.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide means for selectively matching a path linking predetermined ones of a plurality of magnetic elements with a pattern of actuated circuits individually associated with the elements.

It is another feature of the present invention that a common switch controlling marker assign the output of a seized intercept translator in accordance with the switching equipment location of a concurrently-seized intercept trunk.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention may be more readily understood from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 of which when placed side by side illustrate in simplified schematic form an illustrative embodiment of an automatic, telephonesrwitching, intercept-translating system.

Referring now to the combined figures of the drawing,

there is shown a portion of an automatic telephoney switching system of the type generally described in the above-mentioned Patent 2,585,904, which system includes a plurality of calling subscribers sets and line link frames of which only one calling set 1 and its associated line link frame 2 are shown to avoid undue complication of the drawing. The establishment of the dialing connections between the calling subscriber 1 and the originating register (not shown), the entry of the dialed number in the marker 3, and the examination of the oice code by the marker to determine whether an intraoffce or outgoing call is involved will not be described herein being fully explained in the last-mentioned patent.

Assuming that the marker 3 has determined that an intraoice call is desired, the last four digits of the dialed number are entered in register 5 via cable 5a. Substantially simultaneously therewith cable a is energized and marker work relays 10 proceed to locate. and seize an idle trunk link frame 11 and intraoflice trunk 12 via trunk link frame connector 13. For purposes of simplicity, the conditions corresponding to intraoflice calls will be described in detail, extension ofthe described conditions to outgoing calls becoming apparent therefrom.

The dialed number register 5 is shown in simplied schematic form and advantageously may employ any well-known scheme of digit representation. The register 5 is shown divided into four segments TH, H, T and U respectively representing the relay banks for registering the thousands, hundreds, tens and units digits of the dialed directory number. Advantageously the register 5 may employ a two-out-of-five code for registering each of the TH, H, T and U digits. In this case ve relays are required per bank, of which two are actuated instead of the ten relays per bank (one actuated) required by a one-for-one (decimal) code. The relays of register 5 are advantageously actuated by the application of ground potential to eight leads in cable 5a, i.e., two energized leads for each of the four banks of relays when the twoout-of-ve code is employed. The actuated relays are locked by the presence of ground potential oncommon latch line 5b. i

The thousands digit relays in the TH bank of register 5, as described in the last-mentioned patent, control the selection of the appriopriate number group 6 which contains the thousand directory numbers beginning with the thousands digit registered in the TH relay bank of register 5. The actuated ones of the TH digit relays operate the number group connector 7 via cable 7a to complete circuit path 7b from the contacts of the actuated ones of the H, T and U relays of register 5 to the appropriate terminal strips (not shown) of the number group 6. The number group 6, in response to the dialed number information supplied over circuit path 7b, normally energizes the leads of cable 7c in accordance withva signal pattern representing the location of the switching equipment of the line corresponding to the dialed number. The switching equipment addresses provided by number group 6 are entered in the equipment location register 8 of the marker 3 over circuit path 7c which path 7c is completed by the operated connector 7. Register 8 energizes leads in cable 8a appropriate to the provided equipment location to seize and operate a line link frame (not shown) for the connection of the called subscribers idle set such as set 14 to the intraofce trunk 12. The line link frame 2 of the calling party is then seized by the marker 3 via a connector (not shown) and line link frame 2 is operated to connect the calling set 1 to the other en d of the intraoice trunk 12 via idle junctor 15.

Under existing telephone system practice, however, when a new directory number is assigned to a subscriber, the jumper or jumpers (not shown) within the number group corresponding to the old directory number are disconnected. Accordingly, when the marker dialed number register 5 seizes such a number group, there will be no equipment location information available therein and the output circuit path associated with the seized number group, such as path 7c, will not be energized.

T o detect the absence of equipment location information corresponding to the dialed directory number, a timer 17 is provided which is started by energization (grounding) of its terminal s by the grounded leads of cable 5a at the same time that the dialed number digits are entered in register 5. Timer 17 is normally reset when its terminal r is energized by the appearance of equipment location information on the energizedleads of cable 7c. On the other hand, when the equipment location information is not provided on circuit path 7c within the predetermined operating interval of timer 17, terminal b of timer 17 will be energized.

Under previous intercept arrangements, energization of terminal b initiates a sequence of switching operations similar to P.B.X terminal hunting in which the locking ground potential is temporarily removed `from latch line 5b to release the actuated relays o f dialed number register 5. Thereupon the seized number group* 6 is released and a new number, analogous to a P.B.X

encerrar t'runktgrouplinumber, .but` in thiscase corresponding Etotan .intercept .trunk designation, is Eentered 17in .register .5 .by ,grounding appropriateleads kin cable 5u. With the `new number .entered in lregister 5, atnumber .group Ahaving Yintercepttrunkarldress information, .whichnumber group maybe `either-number groupor anotherfnumber group having .intercept ltr-unk translations, kis seized. `The Yap- Lpropriately seized number group -then provides thelintercept .trunk equipment Alocation information .to `register 8 rover circuit path 7c. .Since the intercept trunks, such -as trunk 18 in tFig. `1,'a1l terminate on line link frames, `such as yframe `19, the Jseizure ofan intercept trunk is quite similar tolseizureof `atcalled `party .line `such as described above in the case of called subscriber "14. Register '8 -energizes leads in cable V8a ktoseize and activate a designated frame-and trunk. AFor example, energizing the leads of sub-cable 8a1'of.-cable-8a actuiates the `connector 20 `associated V.with `the idle line :link 4frame 19 and operates trame 19 'toconnect idle .intercept trunk 18 .to intraofce trunk -12 via yjunctorZlJlas `determined by the equipment location `information enterediin .register 8.

When the calling subscribers set 1 :is -connected via trunk 18 to the `intercept operators set.18u, it is .neces- :sary for the operator `to ask for `the directory number just dialed by the calling subscriber, to consult a changed 4number directory and `then r-to inform `the `calling tsubscriber of the called partys fnew-directory number.

An .improvement in intercept `service `is -obtained in accordance with the `present invention `by connecting .the output terminal b of timer 17 via control lead.23 `to `actuate transfer switch `25. Accordingly, -whenthenum- `ber group `seized bythe actuated relays of the-dialed number register 5 `fails to` provide equipment location information .overpath 7c,timer 17 .will energizeits out- .put terminal JJ, lead 23 and thereby operate -transfer .switch 25. `The .transferswitch 25 contains ltwo setsof vcontacts; 'the first set `25a `closes-ashorttime .before the second set 25h. While only one contact ofthe .set 25a Aisshown for Avsimplicity `it .lis .to be understoodithatthe set `25a provides a .number of simultaneously operated .contacts equal `tothe number ofirelays in register 5. For example, when register 5 employs `the above-mentioned two-out-of-ve code for representing the TH, H, T and `U digits, there will be -twenty contacts `in the group 25a .and twenty leads `in cablef26, of whicheightllleads and .eight contacts will lbe energized by the actuated relays of .register 5. When contacts 25a are `closed-.acircuit path .is-providedfrom the .contacts of the actuated TH, H, T .and -U relays -of register 5, `over cables 7akand 7b, 26a tand-Zlib, .26, the contacts of set `25a `and cable 27 to aactuate holdingregister 28. Holdingregister ZSiis ad- .vantageously `of the `samecontigui-.ation as register 5, @except .that the leads of .output cable .36 are advan- .tageously connected `to therespective back contacts of :therelaysin register 28 whereas the correspondingleads of .output cables 7a and 7b are `connected to.front-con .tacts oftregister 5.

e Aftel- `ashort time -suicientfor register 28 to .be set :in accordance with Athe .dialed number information :pro-

vided by register 5, contact set 25b closes to apply ,potential `25g to .lead .30 Vto .operatetswitch 31. When .switch 31 is operated by the energization (grounding) of .lead .30, rnormally `closed contacts 31a are `opened momentarily, are then .reclosed, and `atshort time later normally opened contacts 31b are closed. Themomen- -.tary openingof contacts 31a removes locking (ground) potential lgfrom latch vline 5b releasing all of the ,priorly actuated ,relays .of registerS. `Contacts 31a then reclose makinglocking potential 31g .once `again availl.able `to latch 4line-5b. :Contacts .31b are lthen lmomentarily .closed .to .transfer :aniintercept ltrunk. designation from terminalboard 32-tofregistere5 viay circuitfpathSa.

. .While only. one contact ,.31b t is shownfor simplicity, l.it is tobeiunderstood that afplurality ofcontacts equal .in

lnumber to -thatfrequired to .designate -an interceptftrunk numberfis-provided. For example, Awhere an intercept trunk as inthe case .of .a1P.B.X -trunkfiss designated .by a .four-digit yLnumber, and `where a two-out-of-iive code #register 5 `is used, cablerSa' has eight leads, one .for each of two .l`H,:H,.T and-U'relays in register 5, and accordingly, set 31b consists of eight contacts. The eight contacts-of setlbtand Vthe eight4 leads of cable 5a are energized .by Lpotential 32gapplied to terminal .board 32 which potential 32g is of the .same magnitude and polarity (eg, `ground potential) as that applied to cable 5a l:in the above-described normal operation of register 5. The closing ,of .the .contacts 3.1b operates specie TH,H, T .-andU rlayslinreg'ister 5 which will be locked due .to the presence .of locking potential on .latch 4line 5b. The uoperated THfrelay -of Vregister 5 will then `control the .seizure .of an .appropriate number -group Vhaving the Vswitching equipment addresses of-intercept trunks. `For vsimplicity, it 4will be assumed `that priorly-used number group 6 4has such Vintercept trunk information and` num- 'ber .group 6 will accordingly again be-seized. The TH .relays fwill activate `cable `7a to operate the number group .connector 7 .associated .with number group 6 to enter overpath 7b the H, T and `U designations .of the intercept trunk inthe :seized number -group vt. Thenumber :group 6 will energize path 7c .in Aaccordance with `the equpmentlocatiomof the intercept trunk corresponding to -the sdesignationprovided byregister Strom terminal .board 32, .and the equipment `location of the intercept trunk willfbe entered in register 8.

Register 8 energizesleads in cables 8a `and Sail appropriate to the provided equipment location `of the intercept trunk 18 to seize and operate .line-link frame 19 to connect the intercept operators idle set.18a to the intraoice trunk '12 viajunctorll. Theline link frame `2 of the .calling party is Athen seized by the marker 3 via acon- `nector (notshown) as describedabove in normalswitchling system operation, `and line llink frame 2 -is operated .to connect `the calling subscribers set 1 tothe other end Aof the intraoflice trunk .12.viarjunctor. 15.

In addition tothe selection of an idle intercept trunk18 and the energization of cables 8a and 8a1-to control line link `fra1ne19to establish the talking connection .between .the calling lsubscribers set1 vandthe intercept operators `set 18a, register-.8 energizes additionally provided subcable 8d2. The additionally provided energized -cable `8c2, the leads of which Vadvantageously lare connected-to 4contacts of..register.8 corresponding to cab-le 8a1, operates translator connector 35 via lead .8a2a.and contains energized lead 8a2b which is connected to translator 40.

When translator connector 35 is operated, amultiple circuit path .3W-36 iscompleted between 'the above-men- Ationed back contacts of each of the relays of `register 28 Vand .the 'corresponding points 36 (TH, H, T, U) (0, 1,12, 4, 7;) of thermagnetic ring number eld array 1` of-transl-ator 40. Thus, for example, assu-me that the lholding register ,t28 is .tostorethe last four digits of a dialed number suchI as 3- 5, where the dashes indicate any two arbitrarilydialed hundreds and tens digits. The TH1 and THZ relays Iof the TH relay bank ofregister 28 will be actuated 4inre- Uspouse to the thousands digit 3 ofthe dialed number, and

accordingly `the back contacts 28TH1 and 28TH2 will lopen-circuit leads TH1 and THZ of cable 36TH. Similarly, back .contacts of the two actuated relays of -each of the` H and .T relay banks of register 28 will open-circuit two leads in each of cables 36H and 36T in accordance `with the arbitrarily-dialed hundreds'and tens digits. The units digit 5 of dialed'number 3- -5 similarly actuates the :back contacts .28U1 and 28U4 of the U digit relays vof register 28 to open-circuit leads U1 and U4 of cable 36H.

Thenumber eld array lof translator-140 comprises ma plurality of 'magnetierings D of the vtype..described.in Patent 2,614,176. The rings of array I are Larrangedain :rows cerresgaoncling *respectively .to `:the TH, H, fltan'd U `relay banksof register28. Eachofrthe ringsD lisipr inputs of detector 41.

'46 to advance arm 46a to the neXt contact.

Vvided with an output winding 37, one end x of which is multipled together with the correspondingly designated ends x of the other'output windings 37 of array I to the x input of detector 41. The other end of each output winding 37 is connected to a corresponding Iback contact in register 28 via respective leads in cable 36 and respective contacts in connector 35.

Accordingly, upon the registration of dialed number 3- -5 in register 28 and operation of connector 35, the output coils 37 of the TH1, 2; H-, T-, and U1, 4 rings of array I are disconnected from the input of detector 41.

Simultaneously with the operation of connector 35 by the energized lead 8d2a, terminal 45e of pulse generator 45Y and terminal s of timer 48 is energized by branchlead SaZb of cable 8e2. Energization of terminal 45e causes pulse generator 45 to apply al low amplitude current pulse to the arm 46a of selector switch 46. Arm 46a normally will be engaged with a contact of the switch 46 to which contact a jumper (not shown) other than the desired jumper J35 is connected. Accordingly, the application of the low amplitude current pulses to such other jumper (not shown) will induce a low amplitude voltage in each of the output coils 37 associated with the rings D of array I through which such other jumper is threaded.

Since none of the jumpers except J3- -5 threads all rings associated with the disconnected output windings 37, the non-actuated back contacts associated with the rings D through which each non-desired jumper is connected will complete one or more parallel circuits from the energized output coils 37 of the threaded rings to the x and y Detector'41 will, in response to the Alow amplitude voltage applied between its x and y terminals, energize detector output lead z. Energization of lead z will actuate operating coil 46c of selector switch Delay switch 47 energizes terminal 45e of pulse generator 45 after a delay interval suflicient to allow vfor the stepping of arm 46a. Terminal 45e having again been energized, pulse generator l45 will apply a low amplitude current pulse to arm 46a and the jumper 4connected to the newly selected terminal of switch 46.

The successive pulsing of jumpers, detection of voltages induced in the output windings 37, and the advancement of selector arm 46a continues until arm 46a is connected to deliver a low amplitude current pulse to the jumper threading the rings of array I corresponding to the number registered in register 28, i.e., the jumper threading -only those of rings D associated with actuated backcont-acts of register 28.

The application of a low amplitude current pulse to the desired jumper, such as jumper J3- -5, threading rings D corresponding to the number stored in register 28 will result in the development of an E.M.F. in each of the outi .ated relays in register 28. Accordingly, the opening of the 'back contacts disconnects all of the windings 37 having ,induced voltages from terminals x and y of detector .41. Timer 48 which is started when its terminal s is 'energized by lead 8a2b lwill accordingly receive no signal on'its reset input terminal r since detector output z will 4not'be energized. After a predetermined time interval, timer 48 will pro-vide an output pulse on its terminal p to energize terminal 45h of pulse generator 45 and arm 46b .of selector switch 46. Arm 46b is moved in step with larm 46a to selectively actuate the one of the counters 49 corresponding to the dialed number, thereby providing for veach superseded number an individual tra'ic count to Yfacilitate the efficient reassignment of the directory number. involved. Energization of terminal 45h of pulse generator 45 causes 'pulse generator 45 to delivera high amplitude current pulse to arm 46a of switch 46. While the appli cation of the high amplitude currentvpulse to arm 46a' will cause a high amplitude voltage to be developed in each of the output windings 37 of array I linked by jumper .I3- 5, the energized windings are disconnected Vfrom terminals x and y ancl detector 41 will not be activated. However, a high amplitude voltage will be developed in the output coils 51 of the rings E of number field array II linked by jumper J3- -5 which voltage is applied to the triggerelectrode of an associated electron discharge device'52., such as 'the gas tubes described in the above mentioned Patent 2,614,176. Each output coil 51 is provided witha source of potential B for its associated gas tube 52. The main conduction electrode of each gas tube 52 is connected to a respective lead 53 inthe output cable Y through which lead a main electrode potential is advantageously provided.

A number of rows of rings E are provided in array 'II of which only the tirst row corresponding to the A" digit of the new directory number and the last row corresponding to a service class designation CL are shown. The individual leads 53 of the tirst row of tubes 52 are shown grouped in the cable 54A of cable 55. Similarly, the leads 53 of the second and succeeding rows are grouped in cables 54 (B, X, TH, H, T, U and CL) of output cable 55. The rings E of array II are advantaf geously threaded by the jumpers connected to the contacts of selector switch 46a according to a two-out-of-iive pat tern to take advantage of the saving in the number of rings which are afforded by the utilization of the two-outof-iive code.

The number of turns provided in output windings 51 are adjusted so that tubes 52 will not be triggered by the low amplitude voltage developed when a jumper thread: ing a ring E is energized with a low amplitude current. The number of turns is, however, chosen such that'the voltage induced in response to a jumper energized with a high amplitude current pulse will be suicient to trigger the associated gas tube 52.

Equally advantageous results may, however, be ob;

tained by providing the same number of turns on windings 37 and 51 and by connecting delay circuit 47, timer,

48 terminal s and sub-cable 8a2b to pulse generator terminal 45h, terminal 45e being disconnected. In this case, a set of normally-open relay contacts (operated by the energization of timer 48 terminal p) would be placed in the cathode circuits 52k to prevent tubes 52 from tiring until the desired jumper is selected. Timer 48 terminal p and selector armf46b would be connected to generator terminal 45h via a diode (not shown) or other suitable isolation device to prevent operation of counters 49 when 'terminal' 45h is energized by delay circuit A47 or cable 8a2b prior tothe selection of the desired jumper. Cable 55 is connected to display connector 58 which is actuated by energization of branch lead Sala of cable 8111 at the same time that line link frame connector 20 is operated by energization of cable 8a1. Operation of display connector 58 completes a circuit path between output cable 55 and display panel 60 which panel is physically located so as to be viewable by the intercept operator associated with set 18a.

Display panel 60V advantageously comprises a plurality of numerical indicating tubes of the type described in the May 1956 issue of Communication and Electronics'at page 239. VDisplay panel 60 is accordingly advantageously provided with a suitable translator (not shown) for converting the. two-'outofve code information supplied over cable 55 to one-out-of-ten selections required by the aforementioned display tubes. On the other hand, ve additional rings E` (not shown) advantageously may be added to each row ofy array II ot translator 40 so that the jumpers, such as J3- -5, thread only one ring in each row. When-the Arings E of array II are arranged' in thelastmentioned, or one-for-one code, nol additional translator need be included in display panel 60 to operate thiabove= `9 mentioned display tubes. In either event, `display panel 60 advantageously includes `potential sources .(notushown) for each of the main discharge anode circuits `of cable 55.

Accordingly, itis seen that the above-described intercept translatingsystem embodiment of the present inven- 1 tion makes more eicient utilization lof input data by employing the dialed number digits (after they would have 'normally been discarded by` previous telephone switching `served by a telephone oice, -there is nogwayof predicting which of all the directorynumbers will be changed. Ac-

cordingly, it is desirable that thedialed numberV translator be capable of economically translating `any `of the nor- `mally assigned directory lnumbers in the otice. It `is an additional advantage ofthe herein disclosed mode of sequentially matching translator jumpers to the pattern of actuated register relays that a considerable saving in the number of relay contacts is achieved. Thus, in a central oice having 10,000 lines, only 200 of which have been `assigned new directory numbers, the relay tree selection `method (such as that describedl in Patent 2,585,504 used to select jumpersin the numbergroups) would necessitate the use of 10,000 relaycontacts,`of which only 200 wouldever be usefully engaged. On the other hand, by the use of the sequential matching circuit herein described only as many contacts need be provided as there are subscribers having newly assigned directory numbers, a savings inthe illustrative example of 980() contacts.

While the above-identied system has been explained on an analogous basis to that used in P.B.X terminal hunting, it is `of course obvious that instead of following the practice of disconnecting the jumper in the number group associated with a disconnected party, the jumper may be rerun so that the number group will directly provide the equipment location of an intercept trunk. In this latter case, the terminal board 32, cable 5a' and timer 17 would not be required; transfer of the dialed digits from marker 3 to translator 40 being accomplished by connecting lead 23 of transfer switch 25 to cable 8a instead of to terminal b of timer 17.

In addition, where the dialed number register 5 has available back contacts, and where the need for marker circuit flexibility is not as great, holding register 28 may be omitted. In this case, the back contacts of register 5 rather than the contacts of holding register 28 are directly associated with the output windings 37 of array I of translater 40.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a telephone switching system the combination comprising a common switch controlling marker having a register for storing dialed directory numbers, first circuit means coupled to said register for initiating intercept switching connections in said marker in response to predetermined ones of said dialed numbers, a translator having an input and an output, second circuit means coupled to said rst circuit means and responsive to the initiation of said intercept connections for transferring said predetermined numbers to said translator input, display means, and third circuit means controlled by said marker intercept switching connections for connecting said translator output to said display means.

2. In a telephone switching system according to claim 1, the combination wherein said flrSt circuit means intaludes-timing` means and register -latch-circuit.means-controlled A'by-said timing-means.

3.V Ina telephone-switching system according to claim 2, the combination wherein said second circuit means `includes :switch means .for yoperating 4saidl latch circuit means.

A4. In a telephone switching system according to claim `3, Lthe combination Awherein said rst circuit means in- `in -said register, a plurality of switch locations, display means =associated with Vsaid switch locations, a number :group associated with said register for correlating said directory numbers with said switch locationsya translator for correlatingpredetermined ones of said directory numbers with atleast a further directory number, transfer means responsive to said` predetermined numbers vfor connecting said register to said translator, and switching -means controlled by said number group for connecting said translator to transmit saidfurther number to said display means.

6. A switchingintercept system according to claim 5 `wherein said transfer means includes means for releasing said predetermined numbers from and entering additional -numbers in said register.

7. A switching intercept system according to claim 6 Wheren said number group controls said switching means in accordance with said additional-numbers.

8. A telephone switching system comprising a plurality of telephone circuit switches, a transfer switch, a number group having switch operating instructions corresponding to active and to inactive directory numbers, iirst route means controlled by said number group for operating said circuit switches corresponding to said active numbers, means controlled by Vsaid number group for operating said transfer switch in accordance with said inactive numbers, number liield means actuated `by said transfer switch for associating said inactive with newly-active directory numbers, second route means-controlled by said transfer switch for operating said circuit switches corresponding to said inactive numbers, and means coupled to said number field means for associating said newly-active numbers with said last operating circuit switches.

9. A telephone switching system according to claim 8 wherein said number eld means comprises a rst magnetic ring array for receiving said inactive numbers, a second magnetic ring array for transmitting said newlyactive numbers, at least one input circuit path common to said rst and to said second array, and pulse means for selectively energizing said circuit path.

l0. A telephone switching system according to claim 9 wherein said number field means further comprises de tector means coupled to said rst array for controlling said pulse means.

11. A telephone switching system according to claim l0 further comprising display means connected to said last operating switches and responsive to said pulse means in a controlled condition for displaying said newly-active numbers.

l2. In a telephone call intercepting system, means for matching a translation circuit path to a dialed interceptible number comprising a dialed number register, a field of inductive elements, a plurality of circuit path terminals for coupling a respective circuit path to said field in accordance with an interceptible number, detector means, circuit means individually coupling said elements to said detector, switch means controlled by said register for opening particular ones of said circuit means in accordance with the number registered in said register, and sig` nal means for sequentially energizing said terminals.

13. In a telephone call intercepting system according to claim 12, said signal means having a first and a second 1 1 input and an output connection, said output being selectively energizable by each said input, delay circuit means connected to said detector for energizing said rst input connection, timing means connected to said detector for energizing said second input connection, and selector means for connecting said output to said terminals. v

14. In a telephone call intercepting system according to claim 13. said eld having a first and a second portion, said path being coupled to said first portion in accordance with a pattern representing said interceptible number and to said second portion in accordance with a pattern representing a replacement number, said circuit means coupling said elements of said first portion to said detector, and indicating means connected to said inductive elements `of saidY second portion for displaying said replacement number.

15. In a telephone call intercepting system according to claim 14, said indicator means comprising a plurality of discharge elements responsive to said selectively energizable signal means output.

' 16. In a telephone switching system for the temporary Vrouting of a calling subscriber to an intercept station when the number dialed is superseded by a further directory number, the combination comprising a register for storing't-he number dialed, translator means coupled to said register for deriving said further directory number corresponding to said number dialed, number display means associated with said station, and connector means for routing said further number to said display means.

17. In a telephone switching system according to claim 16 a common switch controlling marker having an equipment location register, input circuit means connected to said translator for initiating translator operation, and first cable means connected to said location register for energizing said input circuit means.

18. In a telephone switching system according to claim 17 a selected plurality of switches controlled -by said 1ocation register for effecting said temporary routing, and second cable means connected to said switches for operating said connector means.

19. In a telephone system having means for registering 12 dialed directory numbers and means lfor establishing connections in response to said dialed numbers, intercept apparavtus comprising 'means for recognizing and regis-tering 'inactive dialed directory numbers, means responsive to such inactive numbers for enabling said establishing means to establish a connection to an intercept operator position, displayv means at said'operator position, and means responsive to said inactive directory number for providing to said display means to corresponding new active directory number for said inactive directory number.

20, In a telephone system in accordance with claim 19, said last mentioned means comprising a translator having a first and a second magnetic ring array, anl input wire threading said first array in accordanceV with each inactive number and said second array in accordance with the corresponding new active number, output means for each magnetic ring in said first array including an output winding and normally closed contact means, means for energizing said contact means in accordance with the registered inactive directory number, output means for each magnetic ring in said second array, and means responsive to said Second array output means for energizing said display means.

21. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 20, the combination further comprising means for sequentially applying a first signal to said input Wires, means connected to said first array output means and responsive to said first signals for recognizing said registered inactive directory number, and means connected to said recognizing means for applying a second signal to said input wire corresponding to said registered inactive directory number.

22. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said first signal comprises a current pulse of `lesser amplitude than said second signal, said means responsive to said second array output means for energizing said display means comprising means responsive to said greater amplitude second signal and non-responsive to said lesser amplitude first signal.

No references cited. 

